I am being sent to hospital for an exercise ECG in 3 weeks time and am worrying myself sick as my doctor seems to think I might have Angina.I told her I get out of breath when walking up a steep hill and get a tightness in my chest,also I have noticed a couple of times during a meal,that the food seems to "stick" and I get a feeling of discomfort across my chest.I thought she would suggest an inhaler to help the shortness of breath,but she seems to think it's Angina.I have been trawling the net for info and have a good idea of what to expect in medical terms,but i would like to hear from anyone who is actually suffering from it.What difference does it make to your quality of life etc. Any information and advice wiould be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jean

Hi Jean....the doctor told my husband that he may have angina, he had to have a ECG test and an x-ray.....the ECG was clear, it turned out to be pluricy.

I know it's hard, but try not to worry yourself to much.

It may turn out to be something not so serious :-)

I dont have angina, but I work in a heart unit. I am glad to hear that your doctor is taking your chest pains seriously. Its always best to rule out serious things, instead of assuming that its something less problematic. It is possible that you do not have angina, but in case you are found to have it i am answering your question.
As I am sure you have found out, angina is a pain in the heart muscle, caused by a lack of blood to the heart. If the arteries supplying the heart muscle are narrowed, when you exercise the heart does not get the blood it needs to fuel it. Its a bit like when you exercise your legs really hard till they ache really badly.
As to how it could affect you...
The severity of angina is related to how narrow the arteries are. If someone is proven to have angina they usually do tests to see exactly the state of the coronary arteries, and how blocked they are.
If the arteries are only slightly narrowed the condition may be controlled with drugs. the sufferer will be given tablets to control the pain, possibly beta blockers, and usually tablets to lower blood fats. The sufferer would be expected to eat a low fat low sugar diet, lose weight if necessary, and most vitally of all STOP SMOKING. ( smoking is the major avoidable cause of angina).  It is possible to carry on with this level of angina indefinitely. It really depends on the individual....some people could cope with the level and frequency of pain that you are getting, by just taking life easier...but a postman for example would probably not be able to do their job with those sorts of symptoms. If this is proven to be angina, it could get easier with the treatment, or it may just stay the same. It depends on your lifestyle as to how much it will trouble you.
If the arteries are found to be very narrow then the person becomes at risk of a heart attack. Those people would usually need either keyhole surgery, or bypass surgery to improve the blood supply to the heart.
I hope that that gives you a few answers... and try to remember that your GP is trying to RULE OUT angina. You may not necessarily have it. In the meantime, if you do smoke, STOP IMMEDIATELY.

Hi Jean. This is not meant to frighten you but to try to reassure that even the worst case scenario can end up OK. My mum at 38yrs old out of the blue had to have a triple heart bypass, she's now 60yrs old and has never been fitter. Therefore when I was having tightness in my chest and because of my family's history of heart problems I too was immediately sent for an ECG. My advise is when they speed up the treadmill - DON'T look down. I did and went zooming of the back. God I was so embarrassed which don't do my blood pressure any good either. But even after all that ECG was still clear. I know it's easier said than done but try not to worry.
All the best Anita

Thanks for your replies. I stopped smoking 2 months ago and my breathing actually seems to have gotten worse,but I have stopped for good this time. I am 65 and have smoked all my life,so I suppose I am a prime candidate for clogged arteries,and I wish to God now that I had never touched a cigarette.There is no history of heart disease in my family,so I suppose I was a bit complacent,thinking not me.I have 5 grown up children and 4 grandsons and we are a very close family,they all rely on me to be here for them,and I haven't told them yet ,that i am going for this test,as I know they will be more upset than I am.I have only suffered 2 or 3 incidences of chest pain over the last 2 years ,but then I don't walk up steep hills in a gale force wind every day.Actually,this time I was out of breath walking  up a very steep hill from the hospital car park to the main entrance,as my ex daughter-in-law was attending the breast clinic after having a mastectomy and reconstruction.I made a joke about looking for a bed for myself ,as I was gasping for breath and a tightness across my chest which only went away once I started walking along the corridor.
So,Pinklillies,do you think this is serious?If its not Angina,could it be something else?
Thanks very much to all who replied.I am really grateful.
Jean

Hi there!
Chances are if it is angina,that if you only get symptoms on severe exertion that its not too severe. I am afraid only the tests will tell you. And yes it could be something other than angina...possibly  bronchitis. S good  luck with your tests and let us know how it goes :)

Pinklillies,Thanks for your advice. It's very much appreciated and I will let you know what the outcome is.
Thanks again,
Jean